Cristiano Ronaldo “will start Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Brighton on the bench as Erik ten Hag looks to reward Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford after their impressive pre-season campaign”.
- Ronaldo will start United’s first game of the season on the bench
- The 37-year-old star missed United’s pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand
- He has only played 45 minutes of football against Rayo Vallecano
- So boss Erik ten Hag is reluctant to play him against Brighton on Sunday
By Charlotte Daly for Mailonline
Published: 00:20, August 3, 2022 | Updated: 01:12, August 3, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo will start Manchester United’s first game of the 2022-23 Premier League season on the bench amid continued uncertainty over his future at the club.
The Portuguese superstar has 12 months left on his £360,000-a-week contract at Manchester United but declared his desire to leave the club earlier this summer as he looks to pursue Champions League football.
The 37-year-old striker was also absent from United’s pre-season tour of Bangkok and Australia after the club granted him extra time to deal with a family issue.
Cristiano Ronaldo will start Man United’s first game of the season on the bench
Ronaldo returned for United against Rayo Vallecano, playing just 45 minutes before leaving the field before the full-time whistle.
Erik ten Hag has therefore decided that Ronaldo will start United’s first game of the Premier League season against Brighton on the bench, according to The Sun.
The Dutch manager will reward Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford with a place in the starting eleven after impressing during their pre-season campaign.
However, Ten Hag are sweating on Martial’s fitness just four days out from their Premier League opener against Brighton on Sunday.
Ronaldo returned for United against Rayo Vallecano, playing just 45 minutes before leaving the pitch before the full-time whistle (above)
As a result, Erik ten Hag is reluctant to start the 37-year-old given his lack of minutes.
The Frenchman picked up the injury in United’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in pre-season, leaving the pitch after an hour with a hamstring strain.
It is a blow for the Dutch manager as Martial had rediscovered his best form during United’s pre-season tour this summer.
After falling out of favor last season and loaning out to Sevilla, Martial might have hoped to leave the club this summer, but instead featured prominently in pre-season and is likely to play a key role in Ten Hag’s plans to move forward
Ten Hag would like to start Anthony Martial if he is fit enough to be selected for the game
Goals against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace have encouraged Martial to become a key player for United again after a few seasons where he struggled to live up to his early promise.
Should Martial be ruled out, Ten Hag could turn to Ronaldo, who only returned to the club last summer after leaving in 2009 for Real Madrid.
However, Ronaldo has made it clear he wants to leave the club this summer and secure a transfer ahead of United’s first game of the season.
However, Ten Hag will be eager to walk away from United’s 2022-23 opener against Brighton with a result.